Starting out as a LPN

Hello everyone, I just graduated nursing school in March and am awaiting to take my boards but my concern is that there are not as many LPN positions available as our instructors kept telling us there was and I don't forsee it being easy to attain a job in the field. Can anyone give me some valuable advise.

I have 4 words for you - GO FOR YOUR RN!!!!! LPNs are being fazed out in Ohio and are being replaced by $13/hr. medical assistants. Also, if you work in a hospital you'll end up doing the RNS work and getting 1/3 of the pay.

As a seasoned LPN I am currently working under a contract at a small community 113 bed hospital.The paid rate is $30.00 per hr and at the end of 13 weeks if you don't call off they(the hospital ) pay a bonus of $5.00 for every hr. worked during the 13 wk. period. I have worked agency, float pool in house, private duty, nursing homes, icu, pcu,ortho, blah blah blah. Anyway my point is ...go everyplace you can. Each new area strengthens your skills and makes you more valuable to your patients and employers And it gives you a true sense of title vs knowledge . I work three 12 hr shifts a week= $2,160 every 2 wks plus a bonus of a minimum of $2,340 every 13 weeks. Or I could take a float pool position with them for $26.00 per hr and be part of their staff and still make more or at least as muck as a R.N. --get your A.C.L.S. and that also helps to get icu positions

I agree with the above advice. You can't worry about getting a job as a nurse until you are a nurse. LPN/LVN jobs are a dime a dozen but finding one that pays well, now that might be another story but they are there and don't let anyone tell you they are not. Once you become a nurse I suggest getting about a year of experience under your belt and then if you need to make money look at going agency, they are always hiring. Anyway, for now just study the rest will come, have faith. Good luck to you.

PAMELA, I AM CURRENTLY WORKING AS A MEDICAL BILLER IN THE BEHAV. HEALTH FIELD AND HAVE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS DECIDED TO START LOOKING INTO NURSING PROGRAMS. IN MY STATE THEY OFFER THE LPN PROGRAM THAT IS 18 MONTHS LONG AND PLENTY OF SPACES AVAILABLE FOR ABOUT 6000.00 PER SCHOOL YEAR, 2 YEARS INVOLVED. OR A TWO YEAR WAIT LIST JUST TO APPLY TO THE RN PROGRAM. THEY HAVE 50 SLOTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RN PROGRAM AND AN AVERAGE OF 600 APPLICANTS. WHICH WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO GO? MY MOTHER IS A SURGICAL NURSE I AM MORE INTERESTED IN THE PYSCH END OF NURSING. SHOULD I GO LPN TO RN FOR HANDS ON EXPERIENCE. PAY REALLY ISNT IMPORTANT TO ME IN THE START OF A NEW CAREER I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP SOMEONE EACH AND EVERY DAY. WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST.

In answer to your question, I believe that if you take the LPN program it is shorter and less of a salary, however, since you want to be speacialized, take a pysch. certificate if they offer it in the states and your salary will go up and you will have more opportunities to work in hospitals. Plus, from my experiene when I use to work in pysch. the hospital paid me extra premiums and more if I worked evenings or nights. There are so many different depts. in this specialization from criminals with bipolar to teenagers with eating disorders. Most certificate programs are offered on-line and take less than six months. I later branched of into neuroscience to challenge myself after awhile on the biologic aspect of the brain and how it functions and affects the rest of the body ect. If I had to do it again I would go directly into the RN program because it is easier at the end to work in any specialty you choose, because when you enter the hospital you are trained by nursing educators on the unit of your choice. LPN's have to work for sometime with excellent references to be excepted in hospitals, especially in any specific department. I work in neurology, however I have a long background in pychiatry since the 1990's. I am also fluently billingual in three languages. I know some LPN's who are scrub nurses working in surgery and getting good hires and salary, because they took the certificate program for less than 6 months part-time. Don't gravitate to nursing homes, you'll lose your nursing skills in most of them. My advice would be, depending on where you live, scope out the population and figure out if there is a Spanish clientele ect. Basically make youself as marketable as possible if your going the LPN direction. I hope this helps.
Pamela
Good luck!

lisa in Glastonbury, Connecticut said: Pam, thank you so much for the information. I speak Italian, Spanish and English and throughout my career I have always used that to my advantage as far as pay. I am really glad that you gave me the information you did, I was trying hard no to be discouraged by quite a few of the comments on here. Do you knwo anything about the LPN-RN bridge courses? I eventually would like to be an RN but due to having a mortgage and a million other bills my schedule is so restricted to just giving up work. The LPN program in my area is 730am until 230 pm monday thru friday for the two years. I have called a lot of the nursing schools in my area to go th ern route but obtaining the pre reqs required is two years alone! Then an additional two years for the ADN to be an RN, does the formal education make a huge difference?

In ohio there are courses you can do online to get your RN and you go at your own pace and pay as you go. I have a friend who is currently doing one and he says it is pretty inexpensive.

hi, im in a M.A program but wanting to go to school for LPN.........will it be worth it? or should i just try and get into an RN program, the physician i work with said theres not many jobs for LPN's...anyone in california know anything about this??

cindy in Los Angeles, California said: hi, im in a M.A program but wanting to go to school for LPN.........will it be worth it? or should i just try and get into an RN program, the physician i work with said theres not many jobs for LPN's...anyone in california know anything about this??

Hi Cindy-
I am a LPN with an associates degree and also have a Bachelor of Arts in Addiction Studies. Here in North Dakota pay ranges quite widely. RN's here must have a 4 year degree, and start out at much higher pay.
I have been a nursing assistant, a endoscopic tech, worked in psych, CDU, dermatology, Gastroenterology, family practice, assisted living and nursing homes. I know I loved the specialties, but here it is hard to find a job I love.
I think finding a job depends on where you are willing to live, what type of position you are willing to take, and what type of pay you are willing to take.
Right now I am looking for ANY kind of day shift clinic/hospital work with NO prospects.
I am having to think about moving if I want to continue nursing. Not happy about uprooting my kids, leaving my older parents and taking off for God knows where.
It does not help at all that our city is experiencing a monopolistic health care environment.
There are ads for LPNs, MAs, (both CMAs and RMAs) and RNs but the morale here is not good.
My complaint is that here in ND we have some of the highest requirements for education, and hear of friends heading off and making a lot more money with jobs requiring little or no college or experience.
Our elder population is growing, so there will be need for help there. We have RNs (some were grandfathered in with 18 month non-degree programs, some grandfathered in without the BSN that is now required) LPNs- mostly associate degree nurses, RMAs, CMAs, Med Aides, CNAs, NAs. And I think we all are probably not paid as well as if we were somewhere else. Guess it just boils down to what you want and where.

Cindy I work for a national Healthcare company right now in Finance, would you consider telecommuting with Aetna, or United Healthcare they are always recruiting nurses to work via phone. They do pay pretty well. I have a few friends who work in this field and they are in the same position you are due to their husbands being in the military and althought they miss the hands on, when it comes down to paying the bills and staying within the field. I just thought I would throw that out there. I myself am contemplating whether to go to LPN route or RN route as I work in a substance abuse facility in healthcare and I want to participate with patients in a hands on setting but be fairly compensated.

I just wanted to butt in and let you know that I've been looking at College Network for LPN to RN. You can even do LPN to BSN online. Go to www.college-net.com/ and they have information and a pdf file that goes through everything the course requires. All you need is to be a LPN to start I believe. That's where I'm going to go! Oh yeah and they also have a success guarantee that if you fail the NCLEX twice they will pay for a tutor until you pass. That's pretty crazy.

anna in Port Orange, Florida said: As a seasoned LPN I am currently working under a contract at a small community 113 bed hospital.The paid rate is $30.00 per hr and at the end of 13 weeks if you don't call off they(the hospital ) pay a bonus of $5.00 for every hr. worked during the 13 wk. period. I have worked agency, float pool in house, private duty, nursing homes, icu, pcu,ortho, blah blah blah. Anyway my point is ...go everyplace you can. Each new area strengthens your skills and makes you more valuable to your patients and employers And it gives you a true sense of title vs knowledge . I work three 12 hr shifts a week= $2,160 every 2 wks plus a bonus of a minimum of $2,340 every 13 weeks. Or I could take a float pool position with them for $26.00 per hr and be part of their staff and still make more or at least as muck as a R.N. --get your A.C.L.S. and that also helps to get icu positions

Hi I would love a chance to chat with you,you seem to have a lot input on a Traveling Nurse

When I first started out I had to work days, evenings, and nights. You can't expect to get only day shifts when other nurses have been there before you. After a year of hours you don't care for, you will be in a better position to ask for day shifts. Your still considered a new grad and would be new to the facility. Be patient and you will find what your looking for. It takes awhile to find out where you want to be, and be comfortable. If spending time with your family is an issue, work part-time and get your foot through the door until you get what you want. Most of us had to work crappy hours in the beginning. Sometimes you can switch with other nurses who want to do night shifts because they have young kids they bring to school during the day. Once an employer sees that your not flexible, they won't hire you.

I understand what you are saying but the thing is out here in Ohio there just isn't any jobs. Forget the shift that I desire, there isn't any jobs for the LPN unless you have a couple of years under your belt. How do you get the years if you can't get hired. I have sent out so many resumes that I lost count. So once again what to do?

Cathy said: I have an Associate Degree as an MA and jobs where I live as far as clinics and doctors offices prefer MA's, Most LPNs only have a Diploma and work in Nursing homes with Cna's wipeing Booty behind Lazy Cna's, Where as I am Manager over my Clinic because of my degree status & I make 16 dollars an hour plus medical benefits and a 401K, Great Benefits!! I Love doing MA work, I wouldn't wana be a LPN Or RN because its too stressful for their money and my salary and duties are AWESOME for what I do, I see people on a walk in and out basis, My jobs not stressful, That's why theirs a shortage of RN's, because its too stressful...I Love being a Medical Assistant!!!!

I was a CNA (or they call us PCAs in Colorado) for 10 years and by the time I got my LPN license, I was up to 18 and hour. This was just a few months ago that I passed my LPN boards. Now, I am working at the same hospital as an LPN and making 24 and hour. The reason why Doctors and clinics prefer MA's is because you are cheaper.

Hi I have been an LPN for over 11 years. I want to start a website for LPNs who work in the long term care setting. I want to offer a forum for fellow nursing home nurses and aides to post comments and threads. Also, I want to offer tips and time savers.. stress reducers etc. What do other nurses think of this idea? Is there anything that you would like to see on a nurse's website??

Sorry your having a hard time trying to find work. I'm not sure what the need for LPN's are in Ohio. Maybe you should consider getting your resume professionally done. When I first graduated, I would see a job I wanted and gear my resume to what the employer wanted. I would then study on it so that if I had the interview I would be confident. Everytime I had a interview I would get the job to the point where I would just send one resume at a time.
The next step I would suggest is network. If you were a good student and had good marks and respect from your teacher's and other student's they can help you. I work in neurosurgery right now not only because of my experience, but because of my references. I did really well in my clinicals and had great reference from clinical teachers who work in the same teaching hospital I work in right now. They will even give you the heads up on what interviewers will ask, because they know each other.
Another thing I did when I just graduated, was schedule an appointment with the employment specialist at my college, who did a mock interview with me on questions that nursing employer may ask. The more confident you are in an interview, the more comfortable your employer will feel to hire you. Demonstrate safe practice in your resume, team work, organization, leadership and genuine compassion even if it relates to a clinical experience at school. Go back and talk with your teachers. References from them carry alot of weight. Know your potential employers value statements and goals and add it to your resume in a honest way. Talk about it in your interview as it being your goals and really mean it, because after your probation time if it is not there, they will boot you out.
While your still searching use your energy on reviewing your medications and skills. Determine what kind of nurse you want to be. It will come out in the way you write your resume and interview. Don't give up, employers all have a time they hire.

MA'S WHERE I WORK ARE LPN'S, RN'S SLAVES. YOU DO THE PAPER WORK THAT REAL MEDICAL STAFF HAVE NO TIME FOR. EVEN WITH THAT NURSES HAVE TO OVER SEE YOUR WORK BECAUSE YOUR NOT REGISTERED STAFF AND AT THE END OF THE DAY NURSE'S ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU DO. MOST OF THE TIME WE HAVE TO CO-SIGN AND CHECK YOUR DOCUMENTS BEFORE THEY ARE SENT ANYWHERE. IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR DOCUMENTATION I CAN GET YOU FIRED. YOUR NOT UNIONIZED AND I CAN DROWN YOU WITH TONS OF WORK INSTEAD OF HELPING YOU BY DOING SOME OF IT MYSELF. I HAVE AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE AND IF I WERE MAKING $16 HOURS, MINUS TAXES AND SO CALLED BENIFITS YOU PAY INTO EACH CHECK I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD MY MORTGAGE. BE HAPPY WITH YOUR MINIMUM WAGE, BUT STOP PUTTING DOWN OTHER PEOPLE, BECAUSE YOUR NOT BETTER THAN ANYONE. BY THE SOUNDS OF IT YOU WOULD NOT BE SUITED FOR NURSING BECAUSE YOU SOUND VERY LAZY AND NURSING IS FOR HARD WORKERS WHO GENUINELY WANT TO HELP SICK PEOPLE. IF YOU WERE WORKING IN MY HOSPITAL YOU WOULD BE CHEWED UP AND SPIT OUT. THERE WOULD BE NO TIME TO SNUB OTHER PROFESSIONALS. YOU WOULD BE TOO BUSY. IF YOUR MAKING $16/HR YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY BE BUSY BECAUSE MA'S IN MY HOSPITAL MAKE $23/HR. WITH BENIFITS AND THEY WORK AS A PART OF THE TEAM. THEY HAVE NO TIME TO SIT AROUND LOOKING AT THE CEILING AND SNUBBING EVERYONE. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU.

UNFORTUNATEY SOME PEOPLE ARE USEING THESE SIGHTS TO PUT DOWN OTHER PEOPLE WHEN IT SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND A GOOD RESOURCE. MA'S VERSES LPN'S VS RN'S. IT'S QUIT PATHETIC AND CHILDISH. EVERYTIME YOU WORK WITH WOMEN THEY HAVE DIFFICAULTY BE PROFESSIONAL AND MOST OF THEM ARE INSECURE. WHY DO'T I EVER HEAR THESE THINGS FROM MEN WHO I WORK WITH? WHAT'S WRONG WITH WOMEN SUPPORTING EACH OTHER?

Samantha in Springboro, Ohio said: In ohio there are courses you can do online to get your RN and you go at your own pace and pay as you go. I have a friend who is currently doing one and he says it is pretty inexpensive.

I am in the Cincinnati area. I am looking into Galen school of nursing. They are telling me that if I am willing to go M-F for 12 months I can be done with my RN. Compared to the other schools that are going to drag it out for two more years even though I have my LPN already that sounds good. The draw back is I would have to work weekend doubles to stay full time at work. This sounds daunting but is it worth being done a year sooner? Has anyone else ever been through Galens program?

Amy said: Hello everyone, I just graduated nursing school in March and am awaiting to take my boards but my concern is that there are not as many LPN positions available as our instructors kept telling us there was and I don't forsee it being easy to attain a job in the field. Can anyone give me some valuable advise.

Thanks

yes.. you might want to move to NY... save as much money as you can... work here for a while and go back to Kentucky and live the high life...

I am waiting to hear if I will be accepted into our local lpn program.I am excited because I have been waiting many years to start a nursing practice. Granted, becoming an RN would be much better, financially,there is still alot I feel we can learn from the LPN route that is important. I am excited, willing,and able to face whatever is placed in front of me to accomplish my goal. Hopefully, one day I will be an RN , but for now LPN is the way to go for me to get my foot in the door w/o a lot of years in the middle.

I have been a LPN for 26 yrs (since I was age 19)and currently work in a Heart Clinic doing nuclear medicine stress test. I feel I am as competent as any RN, however it is the principle of having the degree. In my opinion, hands on experience makes the best Nurse. As an LPN you can get a feel of the medical field and that will allow you to decide if you want to pursue your career. Its not always as it appears. Nursing becomes a way of life, not just a job. I have recently been thinking about getting my RN degree (at age 45). I'd like to be making the big bucks now. LOL! Best wishes!

I agree to earning the big bucks now. However, I feel as well that hands on makes a better nurse. I am 47 and I have had to wait for my kids to grow up. They come first. Now, it is my turn. I have worked as a unit secretary at our local hospital on all of the floor, primarily icu and telemetry, I have worked for a short time as a nurses assistant, ekg tech. I am fortunate to have a union that will pay for my rn when I decide to go for it 9 credit hours per semester isn't bad for a full time person. But, I want to get my Lpn in a year, get a few extra dollars under my belt, so I can give my kids the last 3-4 years they are home a better chance to start out in life remembering that they
have a parent who loves them very much, and they have a good time with. thank you very much for your encouragement.

Hi my question is to Pam from Ottawa. I am in Montreal but currently looking into relocating in Ottawa. I am a single mother of a 4yrs baby. I am interested in taking the LPN online course that you were mentioning a few months back. Could you please tell me if you know of schools that are more reputable than others and in your opinion whether or not it is worth it to get a foot in the door for a hospital job.

anna in Port Orange, Florida said: As a seasoned LPN I am currently working under a contract at a small community 113 bed hospital.The paid rate is $30.00 per hr and at the end of 13 weeks if you don't call off they(the hospital ) pay a bonus of $5.00 for every hr. worked during the 13 wk. period. I have worked agency, float pool in house, private duty, nursing homes, icu, pcu,ortho, blah blah blah. Anyway my point is ...go everyplace you can. Each new area strengthens your skills and makes you more valuable to your patients and employers And it gives you a true sense of title vs knowledge . I work three 12 hr shifts a week= $2,160 every 2 wks plus a bonus of a minimum of $2,340 every 13 weeks. Or I could take a float pool position with them for $26.00 per hr and be part of their staff and still make more or at least as muck as a R.N. --get your A.C.L.S. and that also helps to get icu positions

Hi Anna,
I have recently been accepted in the LPN program in Eustis, Florida. I am an Advanced Care Paramedic working in Ontario, Canada but am unable to participate in the bridging program for Paramedics to RN because of no reciprocity between the two countries. I can only do this in steps - and will, hopefully, eventually do the bridging program to RN this way. Your information was encouraging. I am Canadian but my husband is American and is currently working on contract in Florida. It is a 4 year program to RN here, with no advanced standing for Paramedics.

Sandi Correia LPN in Hollywood, Florida said: Anna,
Go for your RN anyway. but in Florida LPNs are NOT being fazed out as a matter of a fact, more hospitals are going back to hiring LPNs. Especially here in South Florida.
But in the meantime, apply for a hospital position if you can, take anything they will offer you, even nights...if that does not pan out apply at a Nursing Home/Rehab hospital...they are more skilled now that the insurance companies are forcing hospitals to release patients sicker..and less able to be alone...they are not the "old people's home" that they were 20 yrs ago.
Also, consider prison nursing...I know...you are thinking that is something you could not do...I did it...and actually it gives the LPN alot more autonomy than any other place and you see alot of different illnesses...
Do not worry, there are alot of jobs out there.

Thank you, very much, for the encouraging words. I have just been accepted in the LPN program in Eustis, Florida. I am an Advanced Care Paramedic in Ontario. I have a secure job with a fantastic company, but I would like to eventually become a RN. I will take a leave of absence, rent my house out, take my daughter out of school, take out a HUGE loan (foreign student), and go back to school, full-time. I just turned 50! Hopefully, I will be successful, and do this all over again in a couple of years and complete the bridging program to RN. My friends and parents think I am crazy! RN is 4 years fulltime here with no recognition for Paramedic.

Pamela in Richmond Hill, Ontario said: My advice is to concentrate on studying for your board exam. Study your practical SKILLS. Things that you will be doing if you were in the hospital without your teacher holding your hand. Ethical decisions. When you get your license then think about positions available. Don't let anything or anyone discourage you from passing your exams. Cross that bridge when you when you get there.

Hi Pamela,
Nice to hear from a fellow Canadian. I am an Advanced Care Paramedic trying to get her RN. You are probably aware of our skill set. The CNO won't give me any consideration for any of the courses I have completed and I am unable to financially take off work for 4 years of school. I am starting my LPN program in Florida in 6 weeks. I am renting my house out, taking a leave of absence for a year, taking my kids out of school and taking a HUGE loan to do this. I plan on coming back, work a year or two and then go down to complete the 1 year bridging program. The degree part I can do online later. HOPE THIS WORKS OUT!!

My comment and/or question is fr Jan Ingham in kitchener, Ontario. I admire you so much for the guts you have for doing all of this. I have a very good friend of mine that lives in Florida and the thought did cross my mind. I have a four yr old daughter no hubby and no immediate family so basically nothing holding me here (Quebec). I am so tempted in doing the same as you now that I read your story. I did not attend high school in Quebec so for that reason any program I register here, I must first complete 2yrs of french at college level so that I can, then, pursue the 3yrs bachelor's degree for nursing. So that is not an option. Hence the desire to move either to Ontario or to USA to have better opportunities. If you do not mind me asking; What school did you look into for the LPN? What is the cost roughly? Thank you so much for sharing your goals and I wish you all the best. Maria

I've been around the world due to the military and I've worked many places as an LPN. The problem is in the northern states, LPN's ARE being phased out of hospitals forcing many into nursing homes and home health care positions. The southern states on the other hand, are using LPN's in a wide variety of settings. It depends on where you plan on working as an LPN and what setting you want to be working in.

anna in Port Orange, Florida said: As a seasoned LPN I am currently working under a contract at a small community 113 bed hospital.The paid rate is $30.00 per hr and at the end of 13 weeks if you don't call off they(the hospital ) pay a bonus of $5.00 for every hr. worked during the 13 wk. period. I have worked agency, float pool in house, private duty, nursing homes, icu, pcu,ortho, blah blah blah. Anyway my point is ...go everyplace you can. Each new area strengthens your skills and makes you more valuable to your patients and employers And it gives you a true sense of title vs knowledge . I work three 12 hr shifts a week= $2,160 every 2 wks plus a bonus of a minimum of $2,340 every 13 weeks. Or I could take a float pool position with them for $26.00 per hr and be part of their staff and still make more or at least as muck as a R.N. --get your A.C.L.S. and that also helps to get icu positions

Hi I am currently attending McFatter Technical Center in Davie, FL. I am trying to decide between LPN or MA. I have been reading the posts and am a bit concerned and confused! I would like to hear from someone who is an LPN and someone who is an MA in Broward County. I would like personal feed back. Which is better Hospital, Clinic, MD office?

Sonny in Loveland, Ohio said: I have had my lic. since 12/07 and I can not find one job out here. Companies are more than willing to offer the 11p-7a but nothing else. I have a family and can not work those hours. When you don't apply for them why even offer them to you? So now what go for RN? Can't afford that right now and besides I thought that was the reason for becoming a LPN in the first place. You know make some money and continue to RN. But no job and no money doesn't help the cause. Waste of time if you ask me. Anyone who wants to be a LPN should not waste the time and money. So what should I do? Go work in a field with no ties to nursing? I do that and the old saying of if you don't use it you lose it comes to my mind. Need some help?????

Where I work all the good shifts are "internal Postings" so you have to already work there to apply. It might be worth taking the night shift line to get your foot in the door then applying for a better line when it comes up. Yes babysitting costs would eat up alot of your pay but only until you get a better position. Another option where I work is to join the "casual" pool where you are called in to cover sick calls and holidays but it also means you can apply for internal postings and build up your senority. BTW most jobs in the nursing field require shift work because people need care 24/7 so odds are you will have to be willing to work a rotating schedule.

Welcome to nursing. You need to pay your dues before you can get full time day shifts in most cases. I can assure you that there are a line of people at the hospital who already have senority that are waiting for the perfect shift. When I first started I had to work nights and do shift work before I got full time days. When your a new grad the day shifts are more work and require nurses that are more experienced. You have more people to deal with all at the same time. Any changes will be done and addressed during the day. Day staff take on most of the responsibilities. Occasionally I still do a night if the hospital is stuck. My advice to you is take the night shift and build up your seniority and experience. When they need someone to fill a day shift do it. Show that you can handle a day shift first. When a day position comes up you'll be in line to get it. Keep in mind that people are always moving up and moving on for what ever reasons and if you are working and are a good asset you'll get what you want. It doen't happen over night. The first year of nursing is hard but you'll survive. We all did and now most of us have the shifts we want. Employers might be very annoyed that as a new grad you want to get a day shift when depending on where you've applied, people have been waiting for 5 years or more. Try to apply for hospital positions. The nursing homes will over work you and underpay you. Most of them lack loyalty to their employees. When a day position comes up they will give it to a friend of a friend. Hospitals will go by there policies and by senority. They respect their employees more and pay much better. If you worked nights at a hospital you would get premiums on top of your salary. If your fulltime every time you work an extra shift they pay you double per hour for the shift. If you don't want it taken out in taxes you can ask HR to bank all your extra hours in your RRSP from work. Anyway don't give up.

Jonnetta in Jacksonville, Florida said: Hello ladies,
I have been a MA for 15 years, yes the more experience the better the pay, But MA are given false hope when attending that expensive school! But I have worked in the hospital for 12 years and they terminated over 1/2 of their LPN positions. they had to take PCA positions or retire. RN is the way to go.

At some facilities they are fazed out but it won't last. I am a new LPN and there are lpn jobs everywhere here in Tampa and near by. The Salaries can be phenomonem if you look around. I make 19.00 Full time Mon thru Fri and of course there's plenty of overtime. I've heard this rumor about LPN 's being phazed out since 1995 but Not gonna ever happen Never Don't believe the hype. Some Hospitals do it. But plenty of them are not and nursing homes all over pay big if you look and will never faze out. They wont pay all those RN in the same facility. My class mates are getting 22-24 PRN.
Put iy like this on every corner of nursing homes They are slways hiring. Get your RN but get the LPN along the way to make some money to support your school better. MA's Cant replace LPN's to many things MA's dont know how to do or the Anatomy and physiology level nurses have.

sandi in Hollywood, Florida said: Great, so why are you on the LPN boards?....and BTW LPNs where I am start at 25 an hr...and I never wipe a "booty"...
you go on loving your 16.00 an hr...

Honey Being an MA is nothing to be writing home about. Average Pay is 8.00 -12.00 ho mostly on the low end. I have never seen a LPN in my 13 years of CNA work wipe a but. I now am a LPN now and neither do I anymore. LPN's make 19-30 Hr darling and you vever looking for a job there is no such thing as looking for work. You just fax a couple of resumes. I have friends that work for Traveling nurses 42$ hour big money ang rewarding career and it's a supervisory position. Most LPN's wouldn't apply at a Dr. office because they just don't pay more than 15 or 16 for nurses. So Maybe your'e just lucky right now. But what happens when you loose your jobs not a dime a dozen job like a nurse. You really got your info crossed. You should do some more research.

I am an LPN. I do make well over $20 an hour. I also wipe plenty of booty. I help my aides as much as I can. I am going to RN school currently and in clinicals I see that they wipe even less booty. I think all nurses should be willing to do so if needed and proud that they are taking good care of their residents/patients. I can't say that it is something I look forward to but it is something I do on a regular basis still. As for MA's in my area. Some of our nurse aides went to school for MA and are still nurse aides because the pay stinks and it is hard to get full time with benefits here.

Amy said: Hello everyone, I just graduated nursing school in March and am awaiting to take my boards but my concern is that there are not as many LPN positions available as our instructors kept telling us there was and I don't forsee it being easy to attain a job in the field. Can anyone give me some valuable advise.

Thanks

I HAVE BEEN AN LPN FOR 29 YEARS. YOU ARE RIGHT. THEY TRY TO TEL YOU THERE ARE MANY JOBS, BUT THERE ARE NOT UNLESS YOU WANT TO WORK FOR LOW PAY AND IN THE LESSER WORK PSOEITIONS. MY ADVISE IS TO GO AHEAD AND AT LEAST GO FOR A ASSOCIATE RN DEGREE IMMEDIATELY. YOU OPPORTUNITIES WILL EXPONETIALLY EXPAND. USE THE EDUCATION YOU HAVE NOW AND GO FOR YOUR RN. IT'S THE ONLY WAY OUT AND SHOULDN'T TAKE LONG. YOUR SALARY WILL DOUBLE AND YOUR OPPORTUNITIES BECOME ALMOSYT ENDLESS.
THEY ARE NOW GETTING CNA'S TO GIVE OF MEDICATIONS...HOW ABOUT THAT!!!! THEY ARE RUNNING US OUT OF THE FIELD UNLESS THEY GET TIGHT FOR MONEY AND NEED A REAL NURSE, BUT DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR ONE. IT'S HARD TO EVEN GET CERTFICATIONS IN VARIOUS SPECIALTIES IF YOUR'RE NOT AN RN. I HAVE WORKED IN PSYCH FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS, AND I CANNOT BE A CERTIFIED PSYCH NURSE BECUASE I AM AN LPN. ONLY RN'S CAN STUDY AND TAKE THE TEST.
LPN IS A RIP OFF BY SOCIETY AND THE NURSING BOARD POWERS THAT BE AS WELL AS INSURANCE COMPANIES. THE OLD SAYING..LOW-PAID-NURSE=LPN IS VERY TRUE. THERE IS REALLY VERY LITTLE WE DON'T DO AS LPN'S THAT THE RN'S DO.
AGAIN, YOU ARE RIGHT. TAKE THE EDUCATION YOU HAVE NOW AND APPLY IT FOR AT LEAST AN ASSSOCIATE RN DEGREE NOW. YOU WILL BE GALD YOU DID FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

I agree with going straight into your RN. I am an LPN. I am going back to school for my RN which if I would have just gone a little longer I would have had years ago. I have been fortunate. Never had a hard time finding a job in my area. Make $24 an hour. The fact is once I got my LPN the plan was to keep going for my RN right away but I got so caught up in my new big pay check that I just worked like crazy until now I am burned out and wish I could do something different. I am limited with my LPN and have to stay in LTC if I want to keep making the money I do. So, go for it. If your going to do it go all the way. You will not regret it.

I TOTALLY AGREE.
BUT I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. WE ALL KNOW WHAT LPN/LVN'S DO AND WHAT RN'S DO.
IN MY AREA, OCCASIONAL UNIONS COME IN AND TRY TO MOBILIZE RH'S. THEY TOTALLY IGNORE LPN'S AND WILL NOT COUNT YOUR VOTE.
I WILL POST THAT IN ANOTHER COMMENT.
BUT FOR THE PERSONAL CAREER FRONT NOW FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, I AGREE....GO FAST FOR THE RN. ONLY WAY YOU'LL SURVIVE HALFWAY DECENTLY AND SECURELY.

THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS TO GET INTO RN SCHOOL. I THINK YOUR GPA WOULD BE FINE. MOST PLACES USE YOUR LPN CLASSES AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RETAKE THEM, SO YOU GET A LITTLE HEAD START. EXCELCIOR COLLEGE IN NEW YORK, INDIANNA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND RUE UNIVERSITY HAVE BEEN VERY POPULAR IN MY AREA, AND MOST ARE ONLINE CLASSES.
IF NOTHING ELSE, CONTACT SOME SCHOOLS THERE AND BE ADVISED ON WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND WHERE YOU COULD START, WHAT COURSES THEY WOULD ACCEPT.
DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU WISH TO STAY IN NURSING BECAUSE LPN'S ARE THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL NOW. THEY HAVE NO REAL FUTURE. AND IN THE PAST THEY HAVE BEEN USED FOR MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION, BUT NOW ALOT OF CNA'S ARE BEING 'TRAINED' TO DO THAT. ABOUT THE ONLY REAL OPPORTUNITY IS IN LONG TERM CARE. THE WORKING CONDITIONS ARE USUALLY POOR AS WELL AS THE HOURS AND PAY.
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST REQUIERE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND THEY MAKE ABOUT THE SAME AS AN RN OR MORE, AND HAVE MUCH BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AS WELL.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO SOMETHING TO GET INTO AN RN PROGRAM OR DO SOMETHING ELSE MORE RELIABLE. ALL OVER I HAVE HEARD, RN MEANS REAL NURSE AND LPN MEANS LOW PAID NURSE. DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT GOOD OR YOU'LL BE SORRY LATER, IF NOT ALREADY.

Hi there,
About to start the LPN program....then hopefully, the bridging for RN, in Florida. (Would have liked to have completed the RN all at once - especially after reading everyone's imput here). Has anyone completed the Excelcior program? How was the program received when applying for a job? Did potential employers look at the online grad favourably, in different states?
Thank you

anna in Port Orange, Florida said: As a seasoned LPN I am currently working under a contract at a small community 113 bed hospital.The paid rate is $30.00 per hr and at the end of 13 weeks if you don't call off they(the hospital ) pay a bonus of $5.00 for every hr. worked during the 13 wk. period. I have worked agency, float pool in house, private duty, nursing homes, icu, pcu,ortho, blah blah blah. Anyway my point is ...go everyplace you can. Each new area strengthens your skills and makes you more valuable to your patients and employers And it gives you a true sense of title vs knowledge . I work three 12 hr shifts a week= $2,160 every 2 wks plus a bonus of a minimum of $2,340 every 13 weeks. Or I could take a float pool position with them for $26.00 per hr and be part of their staff and still make more or at least as muck as a R.N. --get your A.C.L.S. and that also helps to get icu positions

Hey I am looking to move to Fla. Would you give me your job info, etc. I work in NYC and in home care and make about $35. hr My email address is sandi4538@yahoo.com